This Saturday was Gion Festival. I'm not sure exactly what it's for, but different groups make giant shrines to pull through the streets of Kyoto. The largest are called yama (I think). These massive carts are pulled by dozens of men (I didn't see any women) and have more people riding it playing flutes, ringing bells, dancing with fans, or holding the top steady on the roof:
The carts have large wooden wheels and are jerked sideways at corners in three or four pulls. Each time they do pull it it seems like the cart will break or someone will fall off.:
Meanwhile, the people on the float itself are playing flutes, ringing bells, or dancing with fans. For three hours:
Great pictures, Sam. What is the festival celebrating?
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